WICHITA, Kansas – On Wednesday morning, the back door of JJ Beard’s restaurant was smashed, glass littering the entryway and filing cabinets rummaged through. Owner Kevin Kinkelaar discovered the scene and confirmed that a significant amount of cash was taken, leaving the small business reeling.
Owner describes the shock
“It was a bit surreal at first. You’re not thinking that’s gonna be something you walk into,” Kinkelaar said. “Once it hit me, once I put it all together and realized, ‘Wow, yeah, man, someone broke in, and all of our money is gone. A lot of cash…’ Anger.”
The break‑in appears to have been targeted. Kinkelaar noted that the thieves entered through the back door, headed straight to a closet, pried it open, took what they needed and left without touching the registers or the bar area.
Staff and manager weigh in
Manager Tina Arrington said the robbery is the latest in a series of challenges the restaurant has faced. “Everything right now is hard for us because we’ve had a lot of equipment failure,” she explained. “I mean, we’ve been kicked in the knees about once a week for a month now.” Despite the setbacks, Arrington expressed confidence that the Wichita community will rally around the family‑run eatery.
“It’s one thing after another, but we’re going to keep bouncing back,” she added. “We do have a lot of support in the community, so we will keep coming back as much as we can.”
Impact on the business
While staff are unsure of the exact amount stolen, they agree it is enough to affect daily operations. Kinkelaar summed up the outlook: “It is what it is, man, so we’re hoping that we’ll survive it, but we don’t know.” The incident underscores the vulnerability small businesses face when crime strikes, especially in a climate where many owners are already coping with equipment breakdowns and rising costs.
Community response
Local residents have begun offering words of encouragement on social media, and several nearby businesses have pledged to promote JJ Beard’s through shared flyers and special discounts. The Wichita Chamber of Commerce has also expressed willingness to assist the restaurant in navigating any insurance claims and to explore security upgrades for small‑business owners.
“We’re a tight‑knit community, and when one of us is hurt, we all feel it,” said a regular patron who asked to remain anonymous. “I plan to stop by this week and bring a meal for the staff.”
Looking ahead
Kinkelaar and Arrington are evaluating options to improve security, including installing stronger locks and a surveillance system. They hope that with community backing and prudent safety measures, JJ Beard’s can recover from this setback and continue serving Wichita diners for years to come.
For updates on the restaurant’s recovery efforts or ways to contribute, residents are encouraged to follow the establishment’s official social‑media channels.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
